Hopdoddy Burger Bar

There’s a lot going on with this burger that’s sandwiched between a hearty whole wheat bun flecked with white and black sesame seeds. Goat cheese gives a citrus glow that’s enhanced by the brightness of a zigzag of cilantro pesto on the bun; there are sun-dried tomatoes for sweetness; the vegetal twang of zuchinni; and arugula stands up to the patty’s sweetness with peppery bite. With a seared, uniform patty that gives way to a soft center, chipotle mayonnaise on the arugula and big feathers of ripe avocado, the consistency is a bit squishy for my tastes. As for the limited-offer Impossible Burger, made with the allegedly “bloody” vegan alternative to beef from Impossible Foods, the juicy patty had something between a crunch and a plastic snap to it, with a faint chemical aftertaste and the umami flavor of fried shiitakes, despite the fact that no mushrooms are used in the mix.